There was disappointment expressed by many members at our monthly meeting recently at the level of anti-social behaviour about Páirc an tAthair Peadar Ó Laoghaire. There were papers thrown about the place and a fire had been lit in one of the dugouts which had potential to burn the rafters. The door of the machine shed was mysteriously opened, and damage done to a lawnmower. These matters are being check out a bit further and CCTV may have to be installed. However, this can be stopped painlessly if persons could refrain from causing such damage and have a bit of pride in this great asset in the lovely village of Castlelyons.

Club Lotto Jackpot now €15,400.

Our weekly club lotto draw was held in the Clubhouse Bar on Monday 21st January and the numbers drawn were 1, 9,11 and 6. There was no winner. There were eight Lucky Dip winners were as follows: - Ester O Sullivan, Dick Mackessey, Chris McCool, Ger Tobin, Donal Barry, John Sisk, Ber Keane, Eoin Fitzgerald.

Next week’s draw will be held on Monday 28th January at 9.30pm in the Club Bar. The Jackpot is now €15,400. We would ask all patrons and especially those in the Adult, Juvenile and Camogie Clubs to support our Club Lotto. The results of the Club Lotto are published each week on both the Avondhu and social media.

Membership Information.

Only paid up members for 2019 are eligible and insured to use club facilities. Presently adult membership is fixed at €75.00 and student at €50.00. So, please make a note, fill the form and pay your membership fees immediately to Donal Barry Treasurer.

Membership / Registration Forms are available and should be completed by all including players, adults and parents on behalf of juveniles. The child/youth membership form is particularly important and seeks that certain information be made available in relation to your child (e.g. medical data, permission for medical treatment, parent/guardian contact details). This information is only required at Club level and not for general registration purposes. Other options include use of photography and general club activity notification which should also be brought to the attention of those registering their children in the Association. Folks GDRP is with us now. The GAA have held training evenings for clubs and require their compliance.

Cork premier intermediate hurling championship draws 2019

There was a touch of class to the 2019 championship draws held in the Páirc last Tuesday evening with the balls in the gleaming glass bowl like the All-Ireland draws in RTE. However, the more things change the more they remain the same as Castlelyons drew old rivals Youghal in the first round of the 2019 PIHC Championship.

The lads certainly know one another at this stage. In 2013 Castlelyons faced up to a fancied Youghal side in the PIHC final and really shoved it up to them leading into injury time only to be caught in the last seconds and lose out on a score of 0-11 to 0-10. Youghal went senior and after a few years were relegated last year. The 2018 draw pitted Castlelyons against this this Youghal side again. On the 28.1.18 we played out a mighty game with them in Killeagh and finishing in the lights we were lucky to come home in from on a score of 0-19 to 1-15. Notably that evening Alan Fenton had a fine game scoring 0-9 (0-2 frees) and Robbie Feeney had the proverbial blinder in curbing one of their crack forwards. We later went on to draw with Courcey Rovers and lose out in a replay. They talk about championship hurling in the summer well all our games were played under lights, so the advice is be ready again this year.

Cork senior hurling and football championship draws 2019 – Imokilly.

Imokilly hurlers commence their bid for a 3-in Row County Senior Hurling title in 2019 facing Carrigdhoun in the Divisional / Colleges Section. While Imokilly will be strong favorites they can taken nothing for granted from a divisional side laden with excellent club sides. Although they have not participated in recent years, they are making serous efforts down that side and I have no doubt our divisional manager will give them due respect.

Imokilly footballers have reorganized once again and take part in the senior football championship after an absence of 5 years. There are some great teams in our division and serious individual talent. However, they have a bit of work to do on the management side but will be ready to go. They are drawn against last years finalists Duhallow and while they are an outstanding side our lads will give it a good go and we wish them well.

UCC defeat Fitzgibbon Cup Holder in first round.

UCC had a good victory over Ul in the Fitzgibbon Cup opener last Sunday on a score 0-26 to 0-20. Early days but well done to our own men Jack Barry and Niall O Leary who both had fine games. The teams were level on ten occasions and that fine hurler from Kerry Shane Conway with 0-9 was scorer in chief for UCC.

Intermediate hurlers commence training.

Well the turkey and the craic are over, but the fun is starting for our intermediate hurlers on Tuesday evening as they commence training for 2019. This bunch of hurlers have tasted some success at underage level and, indeed, were very committed in the last few years. They are moving along now and have been unlucky in recent times as they were caught on the line in big games and unlucky with injuries at times too. However, this year see the return of a few strong young hurlers in Anthony Spillane, Jamie O Leary and Keith O Leary. All three were injured last year and are making great strides presently. Anthony Spillane who wore the red jersey at all levels is a formidable forward and is reaching full fitness as are Jamie and Keith. Conor McCarthy had a good year with Coláiste an Craobhín. James Kearney, David Morrison, Leon Doocey and Peter Roche all had game time with St Colman’s in the Harty Cup, and we had a few more on the panel as well so some promising lads there too.

John Crowley has taken up the coaching position and Brian Horgan remains on as physical trainer. The word has it that despite some difficulty in getting a manager this will be resolved shortly too. Success doesn’t count unless you earn it fair and square. I like the way the lads have done work like purchasing gear, paying for gym equipment and setting it up in recent times when finance is scarce. Furthermore, they give it all in training. They are setting up well again this year and we wish them well for 2019.

East Cork Junior Football League commences on week end of 9th / 10th February 2019.

The East Cork junior football leagues commence on the week end of the 9th and 10th February. We are away Bride Rovers in the first found of Division 2 on one of these dates. There is no better way to get stuck into a good game that to play the locals in a derby. Sure, we will have a few weeks training done and physicality and moral courage of the big ball undoubtedly helps club players in the small ball game.

The Race is on for Strictly Castlelyons Champions 2019.

Tom Carroll Castlelyons and Imokilly Hurler all out to take the Strictly Castlelyons Dancing Championship of 2019

The craic is building for Castlelyons Strictly The twenty-six local volunteers have been announced on Strictly Facebook. It is notable that there are five lads from the intermediate hurling team panel taking part, namely Brian (Dunny) O Donovan, Noel McAuliffe, Robbie Feeney, Jack Barry and Tom Carroll. In fairness all these boys are used to waistcoats, dicky bows and drainpipes. They all have undergone a strong winter in the gym. However, it is important to know that in the Cha Cha and Rumba dances couples are not allowed dance any lifts as the lady must always keep one foot in the floor so start sprinting lads.

These lads are walking celebrities already and very anxious to who they will be partnered with for dancing. They were not interviewed as to their preferences and have no sway in that at all. However, they will have strong opposition from so many others, and we will have more news on the lady’s and other lads next week. Best of luck to all.